Gotham One-Shots

All You Need Is Hope

   You didn't really care much. "It's unhealthy" they said, but again, you didn't care. How could you? Your baby brother had been shot in crossfire, and it was all their fault. They'd not even paid attention to their surroundings. You paled at the thought. He had been your only family, at least the only one who you considered family. Sure you had a mother, but who could call family some one who abused you? So you ran away, only returning upon finding out about your baby brother. One the worst best decisions you have ever made. You look at the water below and you could see the smile on his face he'd worn that day.

   "Hey y/n, can we play hopscotch today?" Your baby brother asks as his eyes glisten with hope. You could never say no to him.
   "Sure, I don't see why not." You say smiling, you wished you'd never had said that. You regret never having checked the papers, or even caring about the world around you. You sentenced him to death by saying so. Walking to the park, was a breeze. You guys ran into no trouble, and you made it their on time. He smiled as he went around picking up rocks to play with. The brighter his smile shone, the happier you became. He was the only source of joy in your life. The sun began to set, signaling it was time to leave. So you helped him get up, and put back his coat. You got ice cream, as you walked back home.
   "Can we get ice cream again tomorrow?" He asked, eating his, with the ever present smile on his face. You nodded, but before you could speak, the sound of skidding tires was heard, and you knew instantly what was going to happen. And you became frightened. "I love you, you're the best-" the sound of a gunshot resounded and the hand you were once was holding grew limp. You feared what you would see. And it was then you truly lost all hope for life.

   "I can help you achieve your goals, and the lack of me can ruin your life. People will admire me or laugh at my very existence. What am I?" A voice says pulling you out your thoughts. His short black hair waves in the wind. He stands there looking at you. You can see the sadness clear in his eyes through his black framed glasses. "I may not know you, but I don't think you should be trying to kill yourself." You shake your head at him,
   "I'm not trying to kill myself." he shakes his head,
   "Then why did you climb on top of the bridge?" he asks, and you look down, just having realized you were.
   "It was a mistake. I hadn't realized I was up here." You say, but continue to stand up there.
    "Then get down." he says, walking towards you cautiously.
   "Why?"
   "Because you shouldn't kill yourself."
   "Why?" you say, your feelings resurfacing
   "Because there's so much to live for."
   "No there's not. I shouldn't be the one alive."
   "Don't say that." feelings begin to surface, and like a volcano, you explode. All of your anger and sadness flowing out of you.
  "Why? Because there's so much to live for? Because even though a six year old boy died, I should be able to live. Because I should be grateful that the only thing I lived for is dead? Because-" You stop when you feel your foot slip, and you begin to fall. You close your eyes ready to accept your fate. But you feel a hand latch on to yours and you open your eyes to find the man hunched over the bridge both hand holding on to yours, "why?"
   "The answer is hope. Hope is all you need. Hope can help you live a better life." He says as he pulls you back over the bridge.
  "But I have nothing to live or hope for..."
  "No buts." he says as he puts his blazer over you, "I can be all the hope you need. You can live for me."
  "Who are you?"
  "Your new friend Ed."